Coursera appoints Ashutosh Gupta as Managing Director for India and Asia Pacific

Ashutosh Gupta, Managing Director - India and Asia Pacific, Coursera

Online learning giant Coursera has named Ashutosh Gupta as Managing Director for India and Asia Pacific, as the company sharpens its enterprise and upskilling focus in the region.

Gupta will lead Coursera’s regional operations, focusing on collaborations with governments, universities, and businesses to scale adoption of its AI-powered learning tools and job-relevant micro-credentials, the company said in a statement on July 7.

The appointment comes at a time when India and the broader Asia Pacific (APAC) region are undergoing rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and the push for future-ready skills. Gupta brings over 20 years of leadership experience in digital transformation, go-to-market strategy and business scaling, with stints at some of the world’s top technology and consulting firms.

Most recently, Gupta was an Operating Partner at Avataar Ventures, advising SaaS companies across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East on revenue acceleration and strategic growth. Prior to that, he served as Country Manager for LinkedIn India, where he led the company’s marketing solutions business across APAC’s mid-market and SMB segments. He also played a key role in localizing LinkedIn for Indian users and expanding its reach among professionals and enterprises.

“Ashutosh’s deep experience in the region and his work with mission-driven organizations make him an ideal leader to drive Coursera’s next phase of growth in Asia Pacific,” said Karine Allouche, General Manager, Enterprise at Coursera. “His understanding of public-private partnerships, and track record of scaling regional businesses will be critical as we help institutions across the region navigate rapid change and prepare their communities for an AI-driven future.”

Gupta’s past experience also includes senior roles at Google, Cognizant, and Infosys, where he led global transformation programs and managed large-scale client relationships. He holds an MBA from IIM Lucknow and a B.Tech from IIT BHU, Varanasi.

In a statement, Gupta said, “Asia Pacific, with its large and young population, is at the heart of AI-led transformation. Having worked closely with institutions across the region, I’ve seen the value of trusted, flexible, and job-relevant learning first-hand. I’m excited to build on Coursera’s mission and help more learners unlock opportunity at scale.”

The move underscores Coursera’s deepening commitment to the APAC region, where demand for online learning, micro-credentials, and academic credit pathways is surging. Countries like India, Singapore, and Indonesia are actively pushing digital skilling initiatives, supported by forward-looking education and AI policies.

Coursera, which has more than 59 million registered learners in the region and hundreds of enterprise customers, says it is well-positioned to help bridge the skills gap and build a more adaptable workforce.

The company, listed on the NYSE, has been aggressively expanding its partnerships with universities and industry players to offer professional certificates, degree programs, and AI-focused content. With over 175 million learners globally as of March 2025, Coursera counts institutions like IITs, IIMs, Google, and Stanford University among its content partners.